Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Backpacking Korea: Bukchon Hanok Village


One of the main tourist attraction in Korea is their Hanok Village where you can find the traditional houses of the Korean that are preserved through time.


Good thing, our Korean friend took us on a tour on one of them, we went to Bukchn Hanok Village on our last day of stay in Seoul.

We metup early in the morning after we checked out of our inn. We took the subway going to Anguk Station, and from there, waited for our guide. We walked from the station to the streets of Seoul.

Bukchon Traditional Culture Center

After a while, we got to Bukchon Traditional Cultural Center which is a former house of the Min Family (in Charge of finance during the Joseon Dynasty). It is converted to a cultural center for the Koreans to share their tradition and culture to the people.
Surrounded by Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village is home to hundreds of traditional houses called 'hanok' that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. The name, 'Bukchon,' which literally translates to 'northern village,' came about as the neighborhoods that the village covers lie to the north of the two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses, providing an opportunity to experience, learn and immerse in Korean traditional culture.
As we walked around, we can see more of the Hanok houses around. It was preserved through the years and is now open for tourists to view. The whole village is in between the famous palaces and its location is upnorth so, most of the walking there are uphill and you need a good stamina to keep up.

the alleys in between houses

at the open area

the houses

Onggi pots

some rooms in the house

other areas of the house

near the entrance

entrance/exit area

Walking around there, you can feel the old Korea in the TV Dramas that my mom watch come to life. The houses were nice and simple. I would love to live in those kind of houses. It seems that you are closer to nature and it seems very relaxing.

Bad thing is, all the walking and the coldness of the air got into me that I didn't took a lot of photos of the place. I wanted to show the reades here how nice it looked but I only got a few photos. Next time I'll be here, I'll make sure that I take nice photos of these place to post.

the walls beyond the village
Whenever you visit Korea, go to Bukchon Hanok Village and see those traditional houses that is full of Korea;s culture.

Bukchon Hanok Village
http://bukchon.seoul.go.kr

Address
Seoul-si Jongno-gu Gahoe-dong,
Jae-dong, Samcheong-dong, Gye-dong, Wonseo-dong

Directions
Anguk Station (Line 3), Exit 2.
Go straight for about 300m to arrive at Bukchon Hanok Village.


Inquiries
• 1330 tt call center: +82-2-1330
(Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese)
• Bukchon Hanok Village Tourist Information Center: +82-2-3707-8388
(English, Japanese)


Click on other posts in this trip:


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